Now Watching: Children of Men

Children of Men is a dystopian sci-fi thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Clive Owen. Although a critical success upon release in 2006, it was also something of a commercial flop. So bad, apparently, that Cuarón fell into a seven year funk, not directing another film until Gravity in 2013.

(Unlike Children of Men, Gravity was both a critical and commercial success despite being absolutely terrible. Seriously – f**k that movie)

But Children of Men is f**king great! Set in 2027, the world has gone to shit. The human race has, for some unexplained reason, become infertile, and no children have been born for over 18 years. The human race is slowly dying out and it doesn’t seem like anything can be done to save it.

So it’s an ‘end of the world’ type movie, but not of the sudden, explosive bang variety. Instead, it’s a slow, gradual decline of human civilisation. It’s bleak, depressing and perhaps a little too realistically portrayed for comfort.

Clive Owen plays Theo Faron, once a political activist, now a jaded, cynical and emotionally hollow man living in a Britain which has survived the decline with some degree of law intact – but now transformed into a totalitarian state. The borders are closed, pro-state and anti-immigrant propaganda is rife, and order is maintained by the barrel of the gun.

Theo is contacted by his ex-wife Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore) and asked to escort a young woman to the coast. Theo agrees – but is he doing it purely for the money, or because he still cares for Julian? Either way, he doesn’t quite know what he’s getting himself into.

The best thing about Children of Men is the world that it builds. The attention to detail is fantastic, and what’s particularly impressive is that the vast majority of the world building takes place in the background – there’s very little exposition.

Beginning in London, things seems fairly ‘normal’ at first, but as we follow Theo on his travels, we come to see just how f**ked up this society has become. And what’s great about it is Theo’s reaction – or lack of reaction – to the depressing world about him.

Theo passes through it, ignoring it, passive to it, accepting it for what it is. He doesn’t comment on it. He’s numb to it. It’s just the way his world is and he’s resigned to accept it – what else can he do? But the story, in many ways, is really about Theo believing in something again. Snapping out of his stupor and finding hope.

Because the world of Children of Men is a world without children and a world without children is a world without a future. And a world without a future is a world not of hope – but despair. Thankfully, the film is never overly preachy or heavy handed with its themes, which makes them all the more powerful.

Children of Men looks fantastic, it’s perfectly paced and features a couple of exceptional long takes that must have required a ridiculous level of preparation and timing. Performances are all solid, though appropriately subdued. And I liked the little character/world touches – such as the car that refuses to start, or Theo’s unfortunate shoe situation – humorous little touches, but ones that lend a degree of realism to proceedings.

Children of men is bleak and depressing, but also offers a message of hope. It may not have found the commercial success it deserves, but I’m sure it will be remembered fondly regardless. And with its message of compassion and hope, it’s a film we can all learn from. It’s one that sticks with you. Highly recommended.

9/10